Picture taken 19/06/17 Embargoed until 00.01 23/06/17: St Augustine’s Abbey – part of Canterbury’s World Heritage site - has been ‘rebuilt’ in virtual reality as part of a collaboration between English Heritage and the University of Kent. From 24th June, visitors will be able to sit in a new pod in the visitor centre and experience a virtual tour through the ornate and brightly decorated buildings as they would likely have been in the early 16th century, just before their destruction by Henry VIII. This will be the first time VR has been used at an English Heritage site. An actor with headset
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Contributor:
Jim Holden / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
JE83BWFile size:
146.3 MB (4 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
8256 x 6192 px | 69.9 x 52.4 cm | 27.5 x 20.6 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
19 June 2017Location:
St Augustine's Abbey, Longport, Canterbury, United KingdomMore information:
This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.
Embargoed until 00.01 23rd June 2017: St Augustine’s Abbey – part of Canterbury’s World Heritage site - has been ‘rebuilt’ in virtual reality as part of a ground-breaking collaboration between English Heritage and the University of Kent. After four years of painstaking work by postgraduate students at the University’s School of Architecture in partnership with English Heritage historians and curators, a virtual reality model of significant parts of the abbey has been created. From Saturday 24th June, visitors will be able to sit in a new pod in the visitor centre and, using Oculus Rift headsets, experience a virtual tour through the ornate and brightly decorated buildings as they would likely have been in the early 16th century, just before their destruction by Henry VIII. This will be the first time virtual reality has been used at an English Heritage property. English Heritage historian Dr Michael Carter said: “It is difficult to over-state the importance of St Augustine’s Abbey to the history of Christianity in England. It was reflected in its awe-inspiring buildings, but after thriving for almost a thousand years, the Abbey was reduced to ruins during the Suppression of the Monasteries. Now, this wonderful virtual reality model will give visitors a sense of the scale and magnificence of the Abbey at its height. When they then step outside to explore the ruins for themselves, we hope their experience and understanding of this special place will be all the more enriching.” Howard Griffin, Programme Director, MA Architectural Visualisation, University of Kent: “This exciting project has been an integral part of my students’ work over the past four years. Heritage sites like St Augustine’s Abbey, and their obvious absence of ‘concrete’ buildings to reference, provide an ideal vehicle for students to develop critical and analytical skills in understanding the spaces they create, and highlights the many ways in which their digital skills can be applied.”